A multi-story building illegally occupied while still under construction collapsed Thursday in western India, leaving dozens of people dead and numerous others injured. The building is located in Thane, just outside of Mumbai.
According to a witness, the entire building “collapsed like a pack of cards within three to four seconds.” Seven floors of the eight floor building were occupied by families even through construction was still underway and the structure had not been authorized. Forty-six people, including 17 children, had been confirmed dead by Friday morning. At least 70 others were wounded. Rescuers still searching through rubble for survivors on Friday pulled five children out alive.
Police inspector Digamber Jangale told the BBC an initial investigation indicates substandard building material could be behind the collapse, but that has yet to be confirmed. The builders of the structure are being sought for arrest on culpable homicide charges.
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